Dental bleaching techniques and morphological alterations as the main adverse effects of the procedure: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.50887Keywords:
Tooth whitening, Esthetic dentistry, Morphological alterations, Dentin hypersensitivity, Adverse effects.Abstract
The pursuit of an aesthetically harmonious smile has driven the increasing demand for dental bleaching, a procedure widely used in modern aesthetic dentistry. The aim of this study was to review recent scientific literature on the main dental bleaching techniques and to analyze the morphological alterations and adverse effects associated with the procedure. A qualitative and integrative review was conducted using databases such as SciELO, PubMed, the Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Google Scholar, including articles published in Portuguese and English that addressed the proposed topic. The results indicate that dental bleaching can be performed through supervised home techniques, in-office procedures, or a combination of both, using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in different concentrations. Although effective in removing intrinsic and extrinsic stains, studies report possible adverse effects such as dentin hypersensitivity, changes in enamel microhardness, surface roughness, and gingival irritation, especially when bleaching agents are improperly used. It was also observed that clinical success depends directly on proper treatment indication, detailed anamnesis, and professional supervision. It is concluded that dental bleaching is a safe and effective procedure when performed carefully and individually, balancing aesthetic benefits with the preservation of the morphological and functional integrity of dental tissues.
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Copyright (c) 2026 João Pedro Ferreira Dantas, Yan de Almeida Nascimento, Ariana Nilza da Silva Castro, Lauriene Evelyn M. dos Santos, Maiara Coelho Neves, Gabriela Santos Borges, Daphny Angelis Andrade, José Magalhães Wilson Junior, Thalya Santana Nascimento, Ellen Luize de Oliveira Cardoso, Camilla Thaís Duarte Brasileiro
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